Jessie Monk – Here, Now (2021)
Jessie Monk is taking listeners on a pilgrimage toward presence filled with the full spectrum of emotion with her debut EP Here, Now. Inspired by the people she has met over the years and the stories she has heard, the EP is packed with feelings of freedom and intimacy. With earthy tones and emotional resonance, she drops you into an atmosphere that helps you find a sense of self.
Her experiences over the years have shaped her music from being included in David Bowie’s last piece to touring solo through Israel. With a warm welcome by the folk scene, she is quickly establishing herself as one of the artists to watch. Using story-led song covered in longing, love and playfulness, she will have you listening to her EP again and again.
The EP starts with ‘Maybe In Another Life’ which draws you in with a country-folk vibe through the harmonica line. There is a wonderful earthy feeling to the music that you have to sway to. The lyrics have a conversational style while Monk’s vocals make you feel like you are peering into an internal monologue. Through her performance, you get a glimpse into a thought process and all the things you want to say but never really do. While the single does not have the happiest sentiments as packed with longing as it is, there is just something about it that makes you smile.
‘Dark Café’ has a much softer opening with the acoustic guitar line and swelling strings. The lyrics take a more storytelling feeling with this track from the first moment. Monk is able to effortless paint a scene through her vocals that hook you. There is a light retro feeling to the track that makes you think of Joni Mitchell and the heyday of deep folk music. There is a sadness in this song that seeps into your bones that makes you want to grab onto more in life.
The EP takes another turn in style for ‘Lonesome Winter Blues’ with the deep bass that thrums through your chest. Monk’s vocals have a gentle softness on this track as she whispers an intimate spell through the lyrics. You can almost hear a little lift to her mouth through her performance as she convinces you to stay with her in an unattached fashion. The strings that come through in the melody add to the intimate and cosy feeling of the music.
‘Turns Out I’m Someone Else’ hits you with some serious Joni Mitchell vibes as you are drawn into a journey of self-discovery. This is a very deep track and you should take the time to really listen to the lyrics and let them sink in. You can easily relate to it through the easy connections Monk is able to create even if you have never been through a similar situation. Her voice moves from searching to a bright and freeing sense of finding yourself.
The EP ends with the title track ‘Here, Now’ which opens with some old train tones and swelling strings. There is a mournful feeling to the opening that weighs on you before you are drawn into the softness of the acoustic guitar. When Monk’s vocals come in, it is like a great exhale of peaceful feelings. The song makes you want to sit outside looking out over a beautiful landscape and just taking everything in. Her voice is so emotive that she sends shivers racing across your skin while filling you with a strange peaceful sadness.
Jessie Monk fills you with a wave of emotion while hitting all the right folk tones in her EP Here, Now. Each track is wonderful on its own but together they form an emotive journey through longing, loss, finding peace and self-discovery. Her musical prowess shines through on each track making you want to listen to the EP again and again.
Find out more about Jessie Monk on her Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
